Latest News
SBC Summit: Safeguarding the Player – Innovations in Player Protection
The gambling and sports betting industry is experiencing significant transformations in the digital realm, striving to leverage all available innovations. However, one thing remains unchanged: the importance of dedicating time and effort to understanding how to keep player safety at the forefront.
To support this, the upcoming SBC Summit will feature a dedicated ‘Player Protection Zone’, providing a framework for a robust gambling harm prevention ecosystem. This event, welcoming 25,000 industry professionals, will take place from September 24-26 at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa.
The dedicated show floor will provide delegates with the opportunity to explore the next generation of safeguarding systems and products, as well as meet leading safer gambling service providers and associations. Brands already confirmed include BetBlocker, Crucial Compliance, EPIC, GamCare, Gamble Alert, Gordon Moody, Mindway AI, Neccton, Recover Me, Safer Gambling Training, Verifeye Online and W2 by FullCircl.
In addition, the positioning of the zone on the show floor will provide delegates with seamless access to the Food Festival, featuring a series of food trucks offering multiple catering options and a dedicated lounge.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC, remarked, “The online space has brought a wealth of innovations to the industry, from advanced betting platforms to new marketing avenues. However, with each innovation, there is always a risk that a small minority may seek to exploit it.
“The goal of this zone is to educate companies on best practices, tools, and strategies to ensure responsible gambling and safeguard players. This includes teaching them how to monitor player behaviour and protect vulnerable groups, educating them on current regulations and legal requirements, and encouraging them to connect with experts who can help enhance their protective measures.”
Delegates aiming to enhance their knowledge can look forward to three days of in-depth discussions on the latest issues affecting the player protection sector. On day one of the educational programme, topics will include the future impacts of emerging technology on responsible gambling strategies, how operators can use existing data to make a meaningful difference in the lives of at-risk players, how operators should respond to increased regulatory scrutiny, how the industry can collaborate with influencers to ensure their interactions with players can be safe as well as profitable, and much more.
On the second day, discussions will focus on how compliance leaders can stay ahead of the curve and ensure thorough oversight, how technology suppliers are incorporating safer gambling initiatives into both new and existing products and the differences and similarities in player protection across established and emerging markets. Additionally, panels will address whether the introduction of affordability checks and loss limits will benefit or hinder industry growth, and how operators can utilise technology, self-regulation measures and partnerships, to enhance regulatory framework implementation.
The final day will spotlight topics including the convergence of responsible gambling with environmental and social governance, the need for internal diversity to effectively address diverse external experiences, strategies for attracting talent from various fields outside the gambling industry, and whether harm prevention initiatives impact long-term profitability.
Player protection and safer gambling experts confirmed to feature across the conference include Fredrik Wastenson (CEO, Svenska Spel Sports & Casino), Tammi Barlow (VP – Global Responsible Gaming, Bally’s), Martin Lycka (SVP for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling, Entain), Andrea McGeachin (CEO, Neosurf), Hugo Baungartner (CCO, Aposta Ganha), Mike De Graaff (Co-Founder & Chief Compliance Officer, BetComply), Rasmus Kjaergaard (CEO, Mindway AI), Sam McKnight (Head of UK Compliance & Deputy MLRO, Fitzdares) and many more.
In addition to the Player Protection Zone, delegates can explore the Sports Betting Zone and Casino & iGaming Zone, the Media Headquarters and dedicated Affiliate Leaders, Payment Expert & ESI Lisbon Summits. Each area will include a dedicated show floor, targeted networking sessions, catering options, and a focused educational programme.
The post SBC Summit: Safeguarding the Player – Innovations in Player Protection appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Booming Games
Booming Games Releases “Diamond Forge: Link & Loot”
Booming Games has released its latest slot “Diamond Forge: Link & Loot”. Boasting a 5×3 grid with 10 fixed paylines, the game offers players a maximum win potential of 10,000x. Set on a classic, diamond background, two explosive bonus features provide the ultimate experience for those seeking entertaining gameplay.
Every Diamond collected charges the Diamond Boost, which can be triggered in either the base game or from free spins. Boasting the ability to erupt at any moment, it can award up to 8 extra Diamonds onto the reels to instantly trigger the powerful Link & Loot feature. Players who collect 6 or more Diamonds are awarded 5 Link & Loot spins, where adjacent diamond symbols land and merge to create bigger symbols.
Players can create Colossal symbols of 2×2 and above to award a Colossal spin, where they can win higher value prizes or even the Mini, Minor, Major or Grand Prizes. This culminates in the ultimate Colossal of 5×3 Diamonds capable of unleashing the biggest rewards.
Elsewhere, players who find 3 or more Scatters are awarded with 8 Free Spins and a boosted chance of triggering the Link & Loot feature again as they deploy colossal Diamonds toward the 10,000x maximum win.
Craig Asling, Director of Games at Booming Games, said: “Diamonds are a player’s best friend! Diamond Forge: Link & Loot is a modern twist on a classic theme, which we’re confident will be as popular as previous iterations of the Link & Look series. Innovative bonus features set on a familiar 5×3 grid combine to create an ultimate gameplay experience with significant win potential. Play Diamond Forge: Link & Loot now!”
The post Booming Games Releases “Diamond Forge: Link & Loot” appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Compliance Updates
Incentive Games wins interim Pennsylvania gaming licence
Incentive Games has been granted an interim gaming licence in Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, effective immediately. The approval allows the B2B supplier to offer its real-money gaming products to licensed operators in the state.
The Pennsylvania approval follows Incentive Games’ licensing in Michigan in 2025, as the company continues to expand across regulated North American markets.
Incentive Games said the Pennsylvania licence gives it access to one of the most established and competitive US iGaming markets, where compliance and player protection requirements are tightly enforced.
Ahmed Baker, Chief Commercial Officer at Incentive Games, said, “Being granted an interim licence in Pennsylvania is a huge achievement for our business and a strong endorsement of our regulatory approach. It strengthens our position in North America and supports our ambition to grow through trusted partnerships in regulated markets. We look forward to working with operators in Pennsylvania to deliver high-quality real-money gaming experiences to their players.”
The post Incentive Games wins interim Pennsylvania gaming licence appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
blackjack
Avanti Studios lands exclusive rights for live Sweet 16 Blackjack side bet
Avanti Studios has secured an exclusivity agreement with HITSqwad Interactive Gaming to offer Sweet 16 Blackjack as a live casino product worldwide.
Sweet 16 Blackjack is already available in a digital format with operators including BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, OLG, BCLC and FanDuel, according to the companies. The land-based version is active across South Africa and is in the process of a broader rollout.
The companies pointed to third-party rankings for the title’s performance. Sweet 16 Blackjack ranked as a Top 10 Table Game in the Eilers & Krejcik U.S. Online Game Performance Report in September 2024 and April 2026, and was nominated for Top Performing New Online Table Game at the EKG Slot Awards in 2024 and 2025.
In gameplay terms, Sweet 16 Blackjack adds an optional side bet to standard blackjack. If a player’s first two cards total 16, the side bet wins, with payouts varying based on suits, colours and values.
Jonas Delin, Co-Founder at Avanti Studios, said: “The statistics show that Sweet 16 Blackjack is one of the iGaming industry’s top-performing table games, so we’re delighted to have reached an agreement with HITSqwad to exclusively offer the format to live casino audiences worldwide.
“Sweet 16 Blackjack’s innovative side bet mechanic coupled with the flawless presentation, deep customisation and infinite scalability that only Avanti can provide will ensure that the game will go on to become a staple part of our offering for operators in all regulated markets that we serve.”
Charl Geyser, CEO of HITSqwad Interactive Gaming, said, “Sweet 16 is an incredible game that has already built a massive player following across both online and retail environments. We are delighted to partner with Avanti to take it into the Live Casino market for the next step in its journey as one of the world’s top Blackjack Side-Bets.”
The post Avanti Studios lands exclusive rights for live Sweet 16 Blackjack side bet appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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